BRIDGWATER College Men’s Elite Development Football Squad took another step closer to retaining their league championship with a hard fought win over SGS College.

Matt Connick opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a clever chip over the advancing goalkeeper following a terrific through ball by man-of-the-match Harry Horton.

They doubled their lead 20 minutes into the second half in bizarre fashion, as Lewis Hembery’s inswinging corner found its way past the SGS keeper.

SGS pulled one back soon after, thanks to a 30- yard rocket from midfielder Cork, and they went close to drawing level not long after, but Judge was on hand to tip the ball past the post.

But the game was put to bed with ten minutes left on the clock, as Hembery’s free-kick was turned into his own goal by an SGS defender.

Jason Gunningham, academy director for men’s football, said: “SGS are a very strong team, well drilled and athletic, which always provides teams with a physically and tactically demanding game and challenge.

“However, the entire team matched them stride for stride today. The most pleasing aspect of the game was that you could clearly see every player playing for each other and the positivity that gave everyone really carried us past the finishing line when the game became very tight.

“Conditions were not conducive to high quality football but both teams stuck to their passing principals and we took our goals at good times and also had a little bit of fortune with the own goal but that good fortune came about as we had created the opportunity.

“The next five matches will seal where we come in this very difficult and high quality league but to start the year with a great away win has set us up to be in a good position to retain our league title which is all down to the students’ hard work.”